India’s highest sky cycling track at Gulaba

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 30

India’s highest sky cycling track has come up at the Nature Park in Gulaba, Kullu district. To promote eco-tourism in the district, the Forest Department is focusing on constructing such parks at key locations, where tourists can sit and relax while enjoying the nature’s beauty.

With the sky cycling track in place, tourists will be able to enjoy this adventurous sport from October. It is a 350-m track with a 450-m zip line. Col Neeraj Rana, Director, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, conducted a sky cycling trial, which was successful. Eight local youths have been trained by the institute to guide tourists interested in sky cycling.

Divisional Forest officer (DFO), Kullu, Neeraj Chadda said the project’s cost was Rs 13 lakh.

“Gulaba is a scenic place and the track will be an added attraction for tourists,” he added.“More local youths will be trained. This will generate employment. The park area is under construction and will be completed soon. Kullu-Manali is a favourite tourist destination,” the DFO said. “Soon, a committee will be constituted to fix charges for sky cycling and zip lining. We hope to start it by October. Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur had laid the foundation stone of the park at Gulaba on July 20 this year,” the official said.